C.F. Martin Honors Roger McGuinn With D12-42 Signature Edition

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January 28, 1999 -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Honoree James Joseph "Roger" McGuinn, III is acknowledged to be one of the most influential 12-string guitarists in the world. Founder of The Byrds, one of the most important folk/rock groups of the '60s, McGuinn and his 12-string electric Rickenbaker are legends in music history. The Byrds' lineup through the years always included McGuinn, and, during the group's long history, other members of the group were such stellar performers as Gene Clark, David Crosby, Gram Parsons, Gene Parsons and of course, the legendary Clarence White.

When McGuinn is not "plugged in," he has long favored his Martin 12-string guitars, of which he owns several.

In honor of McGuinn's dedication to Martin and his expertise on the 12-string guitar, Martin is proud to introduce the Limited Edition D12-42RM Roger McGuinn 12-string guitar.

The D12-42RM is a 14-fret Dreadnought. The soundboard is bookmatched from select Sitka spruce and lightly supported with Martin's 5/16" width X-bracing. Abalone pearl, selected for excellent color, is carefully inlaid around the perimeter of the rosette, the tongue of the fingerboard, and the circumference of the top.

The sides and back are bookmatched from solid East Indian rosewood, and a Style 45 multi-colored mosaic inlay strip demarcates the twopiece back.

The neck of the Roger McGuinn limited edition guitar is shaped from solid genuine mahogany and the fingerboard, inlaid with Style 45 abalone hexagons, is crafted from solid genuine ebony. The body, fingerboard and headstock are bound with vintage style grained ivoroid. Roger McGuinn's signature is tastefully inlaid in pearl between the 19th and 20th frets.

The soundboard is tinted with golden "vintage toner." The body and headplate are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer and polished to a high gloss, while the neck, finished with satin lacquer, remains smooth to the player's touch.

In keeping with Roger McGuinn's wishes, the deluxe 5-ply Geib® style vintage case is custom covered in grey/black denim, with a special royal blue velvet interior.

The interior label for each instrument will be individually numbered and personally signed by Roger McGuinn and Martin Chairman an and CEO, C.F. Martin IV. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each D12-42RM will be donated to the "The Flying Hospital", a charity which airlifts essential medical supplies and physician's care to locations desperately lacking such services.

Orders for the D12-42RM may be placed through Martin dealers immediately, though the edition will not begin to appear in stores until the summer of 1999.

For more information, visit Martin at http://www.mguitar.com/